Jasper County athletics director James Gardner dies

James Gardner was hired as Jasper County School District athletics director in 2010. He died Thursday evening.-Courtesy of Jasper County School District

Jasper County athletics director James Gardner died Thursday evening, according to the school district.

"The Jasper County School District is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of its athletic director, Mr. James Gardner," the district said in a news release Thursday. "Mr. Gardner passed away earlier this evening. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time."

Ridgeland-Hardeeville High football coach Blake Raley was in tears after his team defeated host Battery Creek 28-26 Thursday night.He said he had spoken with Gardner and they exchanged text messages Thursday afternoon.

Raley said he felt a mix of shock and sadness.

"He spent time and energy on our kids," Raley said. "(I'm) going to miss our talks about life in general. We were buddies before he was my boss."

Gardner is a former county recreation director (1992-2005) and school board member. He was hired as athletics director in 2010. He also worked in the University of South Carolina Beaufort's athletics department and as the city of Hardeeville's program-athletic coordinator.